Quick question for anyone who's familiar with UA's 744. I'm flying trans-pac to SYD with them, and I have a choice between an E+ seat at the front of coach, or one of the seats in the back rows (58-60) along the window... and I don't know which to choose. E+ will give me 2 more inches of legroom (not that it's a huge deal, I'm skinny and 5'8"), but the seats in back are the only 2-somes in coach (so, only one person to step over to get up)... plus, they have storage space between the seat and window -- but I have no idea how much or how little space that is (enough for a stuffed breifcase? Or just enough for a bookstore paperback?). Anyone with experience want to give me their $.02?

Never flown on a UA747, but on another airline. The amount of room spare gets progressively smaller as you go back, but certainly was enough space for a briefcase in the first of these rows. However, you should also consider that, again in the first of these rows, the wall is quite far away from you so you can't really lean against it and sleep.

If I'm in economy, I like to go for the back row of a section if possible so that I can recline the whole flight without worrying about people behind me. If you go for row 60, you'll be closer to a galley and WC's which will mean some noise and light so go prepared if you want to sleep on that long overnight flight.

If you don't need the extra legroom (you don't mention if you're getting Economy Plus free or paying for it), but I'd be tempted by the "twos" at the back, and possibly saving some money too. Seatguru doesn't show very many good Y seats on that particular aircraft, but the pairs at the back are some of them.

Ah, that's the exact decision I had to make this past August. I went with the back pair of seats (middle of the three pairs), since I had experience with back pairs on NW and loved it. UA didn't disappoint either. The room, window views, and easier aisle/galley/lavatory access made for a fantastic ride. I like them so much that I'd be afraid to try anything else in a 747, especially if I had to pay extra like for Y+.

The space along the wall narrows as you go back. The first pair will have a surplus of room to store items since you'll have an extra seat ahead of you and the wall space alongside. The middle pair offers enough room to the side to store at least a briefcase size item--maybe a backpack. The last row is fairly close against the wall and won't offer too much more room than normal.

If you're a window watcher, back seats are great. It gives you a panoramic view if everybody keeps their shades open.

If you're one to lean against the window to sleep, the three pairs are not a great choice. Only the last row comes close enough, and even then you'll have to lean the side more than normal.

The back seats are a little noisier and move around more in turbulence. The video screen also is farther away. However to me those issues are minor compared to the benefits.